Vanguard

Origin

A descendant of Pegazeus, Aurakles' winged horse, Vanguard was raised in ancient Camelot. At some point she became the steed of the squire Ystin.

Creation

Vanguard was created by Grant Morrison and Simone Bianchi. She made her first appearance in Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1. She is based on Winged Victory.

Major Story Arcs

Seven Soldiers of Victory

Vanguard accompanies her knight into the belly of Castle Revolving, and protects him against its undead denizens and Gloriana. She carries Ystin into the time stream, and falls with him into present-day Los Angeles. She is wounded in the fall, and she and Ystin are separated. She is brought by police officers to the Undying Don, who cares for her until Neh-Buh-Loh and the Sheeda attack. She carries the Don into battle against the Sheeda, and manages to strike Neh-Buh-Loh, but she is subdued by Sheeda soldiers until they are called off by Misty Kilgore. She carries Misty and Zatanna away from the Huntsman, and takes Misty to the hidden valley in the Himalayas where her pegasus kin have lived for centuries. She and Misty convince the other horses to join in the battle against the Sheeda invasion, and return together to New York. She seeks out and rescues Ystin as he falls from Castle Revolving. She survives the Sheeda invasion, and lives with Ystin in the present day.

Demon Knights

Vanguard carries Ystin into battle against the Horde when they attack Little Spring. She is set on fire in the fighting, but saved by Exoristos. Later, she carries word of the Horsewoman's desperate ride to Alba Sarum, and of her success. From there, she carries Ystin on several adventures as a member of the Demon Knights. During this time she is transported to Hell by Etrigan's betrayal, but cannot be tormented there as she does not have a human soul. She escapes back to Earth through Avalon along with the others. She continues adventuring with Ystin and the Knights, and is present when they recover the Holy Grail.

Powers and Abilities

Vanguard is a winged horse, able to fly extremely quickly, and without tiring. She is physically very strong, and is a trained warhorse. She possess an enhanced lifespan as a result of her association with Ystin, and is resistant to injury. She may have eye-beams, which have been observed in her fellow winged horses, but never displayed by her. She is capable of speech.